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Residents, lawmaker and commissioners debate scope and impact of property-tax petition
Summary
Treasurer Cowan reviewed property-tax bills and exemptions; a visiting state representative who signed a petition said he supports a 50% homeowner exemption and urged investigation, while commissioners and staff warned that 'property tax' language can include industrial/minerals revenue that funds the majority of county services.
Treasurer Cowan told the board that property tax bills going out include an automatic 25% residential exemption this year and explained application windows for next year. "On the 1st page, there is a notice about the 25% property tax exemption that was automatic for everybody that owned residential property this year," he said, and he described the application period slated for Oct. 1–Feb. 1 next year.
A citizen who identified himself as Representative Brady spoke in support of a petition seeking property-tax relief and said he signed as a private citizen and as a legislator. "I will work toward but as a legislator and as a con as well as the citizen, I will continue to work towards a 50% tax, exemption on our property," he said. County staff and commissioners pressed for clarity over whether petition language would apply to all property (including industrial minerals) or only homeowners; a county finance official noted property taxes commonly fund over 60% of county budgets and that minerals produce a substantial portion of taxable value in Sweetwater County.
